Monday 01-07-2024 - 14:35

 

As the holidays approach and many of us leave Lancaster – some for the summer, some for good – our officers have been reflecting on the past year at LUSU and what it has meant for them.

 

 
And it’s been a busy year, to say the least. Some of it challenging, lots of it hugely enjoyable, but overall, a year in which they have all done their best to serve the student community of Lancaster.
 
It’s a good time then, to reflect on the things they’ve worked on and achieved for you in the past year. These are all just a small selection of highlights; the things your FTOs did that they feel have made the most difference to the experience and welfare of the students they represent at Lancaster University.

 

 
 
SU President, Cerys Evans, said: “It’s been my privilege to represent Lancaster students both here at the University and on the national stage, especially with regard to the Cost-of-living Crisis, one of the most pressing problems affecting students today.
 
“After my appearance on BBC Question Time, the experiences of Lancaster students have been featured across media, serving to highlight the impact the cost of living is having on ordinary students throughout the country. Our campaigning on this issue threw a spotlight on the issue as people began to realise just how serious the situation is for many students.”

 

 
 
VP Welfare, Josh Newsham, said: “Throughout the year, I collaborated closely with the President on cost-of-living initiatives. We secured funding for the LUSU Supper Club and LUSU Pantry, successfully providing free meals to hundreds of students each week. Supper Club has so far offered meals and a sense of belonging to over 3,000 students, and we were further successful in securing ongoing funding for the Summer Term.
 
“With the ongoing period of protests and political action by a range of grassroot groups on campus around the issue of arms in education and the University’s links to organisations involved in the ongoing war on the Palestinian people, I have been ensuring student welfare by creating a positive relationship with these groups, ensuring they can access Union support where needed and supporting them politically.
 
“Earlier this term, I announced the creation of the new LUSU Gender Expression Fund, supporting our Trans & Non-binary students in accessing gender-affirming care and resources. I have also advocated for Union Assembly to endorse this fund and for the University to provide funding as part of the Trans+ Rights Policy I have developed.”

 

 

VP Sport, Jack Watson, said: “The biggest thing this year was the delivery of a successful Roses event – and of course the fact that Lancaster retained the title – Roses are Red!”

“A lot of work went into the Sport Review, looking into the whole delivery of sport across the university, and that will continue in the upcoming year. We’ve established the Sport Committee and we’ve also looked at improving communications for those involved in sport; supporting the Women’s Sports Forum; a review of the Sport Access Fund to provide affordable access to sport.”

 

 

VP Education, Sam Hedges, said: “This year I have made it clear that the academic and exam timetables have not been working for students. We have since been promised change in the coming years through the Curriculum Transformation Program. There will be an improvement in timetabling, exam timetables, standardisation across the university, readability of academic regulations, and how the workload is spaced out across the year. These are flawed systems, and I am proud that we were able to affect change in the University.

“One of the proudest achievements I have made this year has been the passing of a self-certification policy here at Lancaster. It is not often that an Education Officer is able to affect significant changes to academic procedures, nevertheless, introduce a new policy. Self-Certification will allow students to have a reduction in the concerns they have when they get ill. This policy highlights where the Students’ Union Partnership with the University has been used to its full effect.”

 

 
VP Societies and Media, Santi Siabato, said: “I successfully lobbied for 12k to put towards the Societies Access Fund - aiming to address financial barriers to activity that students face due to the cost-of-living crisis. We also provided weekly drop-in sessions for societies - making the whole team available during these drop-in hours has strengthened the face to face contact we’ve had with groups this year which has been great in not only delivering activity and projects, but also in gathering feedback and creating a sense of community with student groups and LUSU.

“I also worked on diversifying nights out at Sugarhouse, which was a priority for many of the full-time officers. These society-themed nights aided the wider work regarding the ‘Sugarhouse, Sugarhome’ project, offering society exec members the opportunity to put on their dream events and allow them to develop core and transferrable skills in project management, events, and leadership.

“This all lead to the Society Awards night in March, a fantastic night with more than 150 attendees celebrating our societies achievements over the year.”

 

 
VP Union Development, Harrison Stewart, said: “It was my privilege to launch the new Summer Ball alongside LUSU Events & JCRS, designing an amazing end-of-year celebration. I made the Sugarbus free, helping campus students financially as well as with their safety and security. In terms of the running of the Union, I led a strategic overhaul of the Union, redefining its values and also led on the redesign of the Union Assembly. I also chaired the General Election Working Group and set up the hustings in the Lancaster & Wyre constituency, giving students the opportunity to meet candidates and have an informed vote in the upcoming General Election.

 
And this is just a small selection of the things your officers have worked on for you in the past year. Here’s looking forward to a well-earned summer break and more hard work for the new FTO team next year!